Crotty in no rush to decide on future
Don’t believe everything you read out of France.
According to Midi Olympique, New Zealand Rugby should have confirmed All Blacks and Crusaders midfielder Ryan Crotty had signed with the Kubota Spears early last month.
The truth is 30-year-old Crotty has options, but he has not yet decided where his playing future is beyond 2019, his 11th year as a Crusader.
‘‘No, there’s no rush,’’ he told Stuff. ‘‘Each year, I do it [contract] year-by-year. Once I make a decision, that will be it. But everything always comes on the back of playing well for this team here.
‘‘I’m not looking too far away. Just trying to stay and live in the moment as best I can, and enjoy what I’m blessed to be able to do.’’
Should Crotty decide this year is his last in New Zealand, he will join fellow Crusaders veteran Owen Franks, who yesterday confirmed he would play for Northampton after the World Cup in Japan, out the door.
Nobody could begrudge Crotty if he opts to leave, not having played 132 games for the Crusaders and 44 tests for the All Blacks.
In the meantime, Crotty has unfinished business.
The midfielder missed selection for the 2015 World Cup, and has honed in on the looming Super Rugby campaign with the Crusaders to ensure there is no repeat ahead of the global tournament later this year in Japan.
Speaking before the Crusaders’ training session at Rugby Park on Thursday, Crotty said he was physically and mentally primed for what looms as a hectic year.
‘‘Mate, like a fine wine. Getting better with age, that’s what I keep telling the young boys,’’ he said.
That might surprise some, given there were numerous calls for Crotty to walk away from the game after he was concussed in the All Blacks’ 38-13 win against the Wallabies in Sydney last August.
It was the result of a collision with team-mate Jack Goodhue, and was believed to be his sixth concussion in the space of 18 months.
Crotty was released by the All Blacks to recover, before returning the following month.
Queried if he had made any adjustments to his tackle technique after the rotten run of head knocks, Crotty said most the blows were ‘‘unlucky’’.
‘‘You can’t avoid a big Dutch head coming at your face, or you can’t avoid an elbow smacking you in the chops. But I’m always working on my technique. You tell the kids, cheek to cheek, that’s how you tackle.
‘‘I’ve had an awesome break. That last one was against Aussie back in August. So that’s a good five or six months ago. I’m completely 100 per cent. I got looked after really well here, and by everyone at New Zealand Rugby. I’m sweet.’’
Vice-captain Crotty will start at second-five eighth against the Blues at Eden Park tonight, although regular centre partner Goodhue won’t be sighted due to a groin strain.
Braydon Ennor beat out veteran Tim Bateman for the No 13 jersey.